Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, on Wednesday approved the appointment of Dr. Lawan Bala as the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
Prior to this elevation, Dr. Bala served as the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Hospital Management Services Board, where he played a key role in improving secondary healthcare delivery across the state.
The Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Ahmed Abdullahi, who announced the governor’s approval, explained that the move is part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to consolidate progress in the health sector, particularly following the successful hosting of the state’s first Health Summit.
Abdullahi noted that the recent implementation of the CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures for health workers, alongside Governor Yahaya’s wide-ranging reforms in the sector, highlighted the need for strengthened leadership within the Ministry of Health.
“The appointment of a career medical professional as Permanent Secretary will ensure continuity and further progress in the ministry,” the statement added.
In a related development, Governor Yahaya also approved the appointment of Dr. Mohammed Abdulkadir, previously the Director of Medical Services in the Ministry of Health, as the new Executive Secretary of the Hospital Management Services Board.
According to the statement, Dr. Abdulkadir brings extensive experience in clinical practice, health administration, and policy implementation, positioning him to build on the achievements of his predecessor and improve service delivery across hospitals in the state.
The administration expressed confidence that both appointees will justify the trust placed in them and play significant roles in sustaining the ongoing transformation of Gombe State’s health sector. The appointments take effect immediately.
